Recirculating pet fountain

ABSTRACT

A recirculating pet fountain that includes a basin defining a lower drinking bowl, pump and discharge where water pumped out the discharge is delivered to an upper drinking bowl that conveys the water to either an overflow tube and/or a bridge toward water in the lower drinking bowl including into the tube. The bridge can include a channel and be configured so at least some discharged water clings to its underside via surface tension as water flows toward the basin. The tube has a mouth which can receive water from the bridge that can be free falling water that overflows from the tube into the basin. The tube can include one or more discharge ports that can include flow directors that help direct flow of water received in the tube that overflows out the ports. The tube can be length extensible and can include a flow adjuster that can increase effective tube length and can block one or more ports.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/823,298, filed Mar. 14, 2013, which is a U.S.National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2012/054029, filedSep. 6, 2012, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/531,613, filed Sep. 6, 2011, eachof which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a pet watering device and moreparticularly to a recirculating pet fountain.

BACKGROUND

There are many pet fountains being commercially sold today throughoutthe United States and the world. Many of these pet fountains have anopen compartment containing water that defines a bowl or basin fromwhich water can be drunk by an animal, such as a pet, like a dog or cat.A pump, such as a submersible aquarium pump, can be used to recirculatewater helping to aerate the water to help keep the water fresh. Such apump can be used to draw water from the open compartment and deliver thewater to another location, such as another water-holding compartmentthat can be located rearwardly of and/or above the open compartment.Water discharged by the pump flows back into the open compartment whereit can be drank by an animal or drawn into the pump to be re-circulatedagain.

One known fountain has a front compartment formed in a container that isopen and holds water that an animal, typically a cat, can drink. Thefountain includes a water reservoir that seats in a rear compartmentformed in the container that has a top covered by a lid and an outletramp from which water freely falls onto a “shark fin” that has an angledsurface that disperses the water falling onto it. Unfortunately, thefreely falling water can and quite often still does splash when it hitsthe “shark fin” which can and quite often does make a cat hesitant todrink from the fountain.

What is needed is an improved pet fountain.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to recirculating pet fountain used asan animal waterer or watering device that includes a basin from whichwater is pumped using a pump to a fountain discharge where the waterexpelled from the discharge returns to the basin. The discharge islocated at a height higher than a water line of water in the basin andcan overlie part of the basin. Water flowing from the discharge can bereceived in an overflow tube, a water-conveying bridge that directs theflowing water toward the basin, and can be conveyed by the bridge intothe tube or directly into the basin. The bridge can be configured so atleast some of the water flowing toward the basin clings via surfacetension to its underside.

Where equipped with an overflow tube, the tube has a sidewall that canbe of endless construction defining a mouth through which water expelledfrom the discharge enters the tube. The overflow tube extends outwardlyabove a water line of water in the fountain basin with the mouth of theoverflow tube also disposed above the water line. Water from thedischarge is received in the tube filling up the tube until wateroverflows from the tube into the basin. Such an overflow tube can beelongate, generally cylindrical and inclined or curved in a desireddirection relative to either or both the discharge and an adjacentportion of the fountain basin sidewall.

The overflow tube can include one or more discharge ports formed in thesidewall that allow water to overflow from the tube below an outer edgeof the tube sidewall that defines the mouth. Where an overflow tubeincludes one or more discharge ports, they are disposed below the mouthsuch that water filling up the tube overflows out the ports beforeoverflowing from the mouth of the tube. This can keep the level of waterin the overflow tube lower than the mouth such that water from thedischarge entering the mouth of the tube impinges or impacts wateralready in the tube below the mouth. Keeping the water level in the tubebelow the level of the mouth while water overflows from the tube helpsminimize and preferably substantially completely prevents splashing ofwater into the basin because to the extent any splashing occurs, itoccurs within the tube.

Each discharge port is an opening formed in the overflow tube sidewallthat extends completely through the sidewall enabling water within thetube to overflow out the port down the outside of the tube and intowater in the basin. One or more of the discharge ports can be a slotthat can elongate and extend generally longitudinally or generallytransversely relative to a longitudinal extent of the tube. Such a slotcan have opposite ends disposed below the overflow tube mouth and can beconfigured as a cutout formed in the mouth-defining outer edge of thetube.

One or more of the discharge ports can include a flow director that canbe formed in an outer surface of the tube sidewall that directs the flowof water overflowing from the tube out a discharge slot in a desireddirection along the outside of the tube sidewall. A preferred flowdirector is formed of edges of a discharge port that converge in thedesired direction the flow of water exiting the port is to be directed.One preferred discharge port configured with a flow director is teardropshaped having edges converging to a point directing flow of wateroverflowing out the port in the elongated extent of the port.

An overflow tube can include a plurality of discharge ports spaceddifferent distances from the mouth with one overflow tube embodimenthaving a plurality of sets of discharge ports with each set of portsspaced different distances from the mouth. In one embodiment, each setof ports has a plurality of discharge ports arranged in a row which canextend generally transversely relative to the longitudinal extent of thetube and which can be spaced apart from one another about thecircumference or periphery of the tube.

A flow adjuster can be provided that is movable between a plurality ofpositions that stops water overflow through at least one discharge portwhen disposed in one position and allows water overflow through the atleast one discharge port when disposed in another position. One flowadjuster is a collar telescopically carried by the overflow tube that ismovable axially relative to the tube between a first position where thecollar stops water overflow through the at least one discharge port anda second position where the collar allows water overflow through the atleast one discharge port.

Where the overflow tube has a plurality of discharge ports spaced apartdifferent distances from the mouth, the flow adjuster can be movablerelative to the tube between one position where water overflow throughone discharge port is stopped by the flow adjuster allowing wateroverflow through another discharge port and another position wateroverflow through the one discharge port is allowed and water overflowthrough the another discharge port is stopped by the flow adjuster.Where the flow adjuster is a collar, the collar can be moved axiallyalong the tube between one position where the collar covers and blockwater overflow through the one discharge port allowing water overflowthrough the another discharge port and another position allowing wateroverflow through the one discharge port and covering and blocking waterflow through the another discharge port. Such a flow adjuster can beaxially movable relative to the tube beyond the mouth of tube extendingthe effective length of the tube.

An overflow tube can be length adjustable so as to selectively increaseor decrease the length of the tube. In one embodiment, length can beeffectively increased using a collar carried by the tube that is axiallydisplaceable relative to the tube. In another embodiment, the overflowtube can be part of an overflow tube assembly having an upper tubeextending outwardly above the water line that is engaged with a tubeanchor submerged below the water line in manner that permits the uppertube to be extended or retracted relative to the water line. In one suchoverflow tube assembly, the upper tube is telescopically engaged withthe tube anchor in a manner where rotation of the upper tube in onedirection extends the upper tube farther outwardly from the water lineand rotation of the upper tube in an opposite direction retracts theupper tube.

The overflow tube can be inclined, curved, or otherwise oriented withpart of an outer surface of the sidewall defining the tube facing towardand disposed adjacent part of a sidewall defining the fountain basinenabling overflowing water to flow down part of the outer tube sidewallsurface near the basin. Such an overflow tube can have one or moredischarge ports with one or more discharge ports formed in the part ofthe outer tube sidewall surface facing toward the adjacent part of thebasin sidewall.

The overflow tube can be inclined, curved, or otherwise oriented withpart of an outer surface of the sidewall defining the tube facing towardand disposed adjacent water in the basin enabling overflowing water tocling to the outside of the tube sidewall via surface tension and flowdown part of the outer tube sidewall surface facing toward the water.Such an overflow tube can have one or more discharge ports with one ormore discharge ports formed in the part of the outer tube sidewallsurface facing toward water in the basin.

Part of the overflow tube submerged below the water line can include anintake in fluid flow communication with the pump. The intake can beformed of a perforate intake grate in the tube sidewall in fluid-flowcommunication with water in the basin enabling water to flow through theintake grate into the tube before flowing through an intake conduit tothe pump.

The fountain can include a water-conveying bridge that conveys waterexpelled from the fountain discharge toward the basin. Onewater-conveying bridge is configured so water clings via surface tensionto its underside and flows toward the basin. Such a water-conveyingbridge can include a flow splitter that splits the flow of water exitingfrom the discharge into one stream that flows along one side of thebridge and another stream that flows along an opposite side of thebridge. A preferred flow splitter includes a flow diverter that divertssome water exiting from the discharge into a lower water stream thatclings to the bridge underside and flows toward the basin allowing theremaining water to flow in an upper water stream along the top of thebridge.

One water-conveying bridge embodiment is a water-transport channel thatis generally U-shaped having a bed disposed between upwardly extendingchannel sides along which the upper water stream flows toward the basin.Where the bridge includes a flow splitter, the flow splitter can beformed of a flow diverting tongue formed in part of the channel, such asits bed, that extends along a flow diverting aperture through whichwater exiting the discharge splits and flows along the underside. Thetongue can be configured with an offset that spaces a generally planarflow directing surface relative to the bridge so water exiting thedischarge is diverted along the underside. Such an offset can space atleast part of the flow directing surface below the underside so waterbeing diverted will flow through the flow diverting aperture toward theunderside. Such an offset can space the tongue above the bed so at leastsome water exiting the discharge flows below the tongue along theunderside.

Such water-conveying bridge embodiments can deliver water to an overflowtube or directly into the basin. Such water-conveying bridge embodimentscan extend from the discharge all the way to the mouth of an overflowtube and can be engaged with the tube if desired. Such water-conveyingbridge embodiments can also extend from the discharge all the way to thebasin.

Various other features, advantages and objects of the present inventionwill be made apparent from the following detailed description and thedrawings.

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent likeparts throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a recirculatingpet fountain equipped with a first embodiment of an overflow tube;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a recirculatingpet fountain equipped with a second preferred embodiment of an overflowtube;

FIG. 2B is a fragmentary elevation view of a portion of the overflowtube of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a recirculatingpet fountain equipped with a third preferred embodiment of an overflowtube;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a recirculatingpet fountain equipped with a fourth preferred embodiment of an overflowtube;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a recirculatingpet fountain equipped with a fifth preferred embodiment of an overflowtube;

FIG. 5B is a fragmentary elevation view of a portion of the overflowtube of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a recirculatingpet fountain equipped with a sixth preferred embodiment of an overflowtube;

FIG. 6B is a fragmentary elevation view of a portion of the overflowtube of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of a recirculatingpet fountain equipped with a flow-conducting channel with a flowsplitter directing flow along the top and bottom of the channel;

FIG. 7B is a fragmentary top plan view of a portion of the channel ofFIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is a fragmentary cross sectional view of a portion of thechannel of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another preferred recirculating petfountain constructed with a pedestal with a spout that discharges waterinto an overflow;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of the fountain of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the fountain of FIG. 8 having anoverflow tube equipped with discharge ports through which wateroverflows during fountain operation;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of still another preferred recirculatingpet fountain construction equipped with an overflow tube arrangementthat includes a drinking bowl whose level of water in the drinking bowlis controlled though overflow discharge ports through which water in thebowl flows when it reaches the height of the discharge ports;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another preferred recirculating petfountain constructed with another preferred embodiment of an overflowtube; and

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of a bridge of the recirculating petfountain of FIG. 12.

Before explaining one or more embodiments of the invention in detail, itis to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and the arrangement of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments, which can be practiced orcarried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a recirculating petfountain 40 a constructed in accordance with the present invention thathas an open basin 42 that holds water 44 that is pumped upwardly by apump 46 through an outlet or discharge 47 of a fountain head 48 into amouth 50 of a tube 52 a until water overflows from the tube 52 a backinto the basin 42. Such an overflow tube 52 a allows water dischargedfrom the fountain head 48 above the basin 42 to pour into the tube 52 aand at least partially fill up the tube 52 a until it reaches a levelwhere it overflows from the tube 52 a back into the basin 42 in a mannerthat minimizes splashing helping to prevent or reduce noise that coulddistract or otherwise frighten away a thirsty pet, such as a thirstycat.

The fountain basin 42 is defined by a sidewall 54 that extends upwardlyfrom a bottom wall 56 defining a drinking bowl 43 from which an animal,such as a cat, can drink. The fountain head 48 is carried by an upright58 that extends upwardly from a base 60 of the fountain 40 a. Thefountain head discharge 47 is positioned over and above the basin 42 sothat a water stream 72 expelled from the discharge 47 flows into themouth 50 of the overflow tube 52 a. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,the upright 58 is formed of an arm 62 that can be hollow, e.g., tubular,which can be curved, angled, or otherwise oriented to position thedischarge 47 so a water stream 72 expelled from the discharge 47 flowsinto the tube 52 a where it overflows into the basin 42. In FIG. 1, thewater stream 72 free falls from the discharge 47 into the mouth 50 oftube 52 a in a manner where splashing is minimized and preferablysubstantially completely prevented

Where equipped with an arm 62, the arm 62 can be tapered so as to benarrower at or adjacent the fountain head 48, such as at or adjacent thedischarge 47, than at or adjacent the base 60. The arm 62 can have agenerally rectangular cross section, such as depicted in FIG. 1, or canhave a different cross section, such as a circular or oval crosssection, if desired. The arm 62 can be curved in a manner that defines ahandle 63, such as depicted in FIG. 1, which can be grasped to pick upand/or otherwise maneuver or move the fountain 40 a.

The upright 58 can be formed of a component separate from the fountainbase 60, such as one molded of plastic, which is attached to the base 60during fountain assembly. Where separate, the upright 58 can beconfigured to engage part of a pumping chamber 64 formed in the base 60.Where the upright 58 is separate from the base 60, the upright 58 andbase 60 can be configured to snap together, e.g., be of snap-fitconstruction, during assembly.

An intake 66, e.g., perforate intake grate, can be disposed in thesidewall 54 of the basin 42, such as by being integrally formed in thebasin sidewall 54, to enable the pump 46 to draw water 44 from the basin42 and expel the water 44 out the discharge 47. The intake 66 is shownin FIG. 1 formed in part of the basin sidewall 54 located adjacent thepump 46. The pump 46, which can be a submersible aquarium pump or thelike, is received in a pumping chamber 64 formed in the fountain base60. The pump 46 has a pump discharge outlet 69 in fluid-flowcommunication with a fluid-conveying conduit 70, such as an elongate,flexible tube, which extends from the pump 46 to or adjacent thefountain discharge 47. Such a fluid-conveying conduit 70 can also be anintegrally molded portion of the arm 62, upright 58 and/or base 60 thatcan seat in fluid registry with the pump discharge outlet 69 duringfountain assembly.

A filter 68 can be disposed upstream of the pump 46 such as by beingreceived in part of the chamber 64 downstream of the intake 66 andupstream of the pump 46. Although not shown, the filter 68 can beslidably received in a pair of spaced apart channels or slots formed inthe chamber 64, e.g., such as in opposite sidewalls of the chamber 64.Such a filter 68 can be replaceable. Although not shown, the pump 46 andfilter 68 can be part of a module that includes a housing enclosing thepump 46 and filter 68.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the overflow tube 52 a has an openend defining a mouth 50 that receives a stream 72 of water that freefalls into the tube 52 a when expelled from the fountain discharge 47 atthe end of the upright 58. The tube 52 a is defined by an endlesssidewall 74 that extends upwardly from the bottom 56 of the basin 42. Asis shown in FIG. 1, the tube 52 a can be disposed inwardly of the basinsidewall 54 so as to be completely surrounded by water 44 in the basin42 during fountain operation.

The end 76 of the overflow tube 52 a opposite its mouth 50 is anchoredto the fountain base 60, such as by being attached to the bottom 56 ofthe basin 42. In one embodiment, the tube 52 a is releasably anchored inplace to the basin 42 enabling removal of the tube 52 a such as forbeing washed in a dishwasher or the like. The anchor end 76 of the tube52 a can be configured for snap-fit or frictional engagement with thebase 60. For example, the tube 52 a can be a component separate from thebase 60 that has its anchor end 76 configured to be inserted into areceptacle 78, e.g., socket, formed in the basin bottom 56 and twistedto lock, e.g., snap or otherwise engage, the tube 52 a generallyuprightly in place anchoring the tube 52 a to the base 60.

The overflow tube 52 a can be generally cylindrical and is elongatehaving its mouth 50 positioned above a water level 80 of water 44 in thebasin 42 so that the water 72 expelled from the fountain discharge 47flows into the tube 52 a before overflowing from the tube 52 a into thebasin 42. The flow rate of water 72 discharged from the discharge 47along with the size of the mouth 50 of the overflow tube 52 a areselected to accept all of the water 72 being discharged in a manner thatsubstantially prevents splashing while allowing water overflow 82 fromthe tube 52 a in a manner where surface tension causes the wateroverflow 82 to adhere to an outer surface 84 of the tube sidewall 74until it reaches water 44 in the basin 42. The tube 52 a is locatedwithin the basin 42 close enough to an adjacent portion of the basinsidewall 54 so an animal, such as a cat, seeking to drink water candrink either drink water overflow 82 from the tube 52 a or can drinkwater 44 in the basin 42.

During fountain operation, water stream 72 free falls from the fountaindischarge 47 into the mouth 50 of the overflow tube 52 a until wateroverflow 82 overflows from the tube 52 a into water 44 in the basin 42below. Water overflow 82 causes water to flow down the sidewall 74 ofthe tube 52 a in a smoothly flowing sheet or layer, e.g., laminar flow,which clings or adheres by surface tension to the outer surface 84 ofthe sidewall 74 enabling water overflow 82 to be drunk by a pet, such asa cat, as it flows down the outside of the tube sidewall 74.

Although shown in phantom in FIG. 1, the overflow tube 52 a can includeone or more overflow guides 86 configured to allow water that has filledup the tube 52 a to overflow from the tube 52 a at a height below thatof the mouth 50 of the tube 52 a. As is also shown in phantom in FIG. 1,the tube 52 a has a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart overflowguide slots 88 that can be elongate and which extend generally in anaxial or longitudinal direction relative to the tube 52 a. Although theoverflow guide slots 88 shown in phantom in FIG. 1 are generallystraight, one or more of the slots 88 can be curved, e.g., generallyhelical or spiral, can be angled, e.g., generally L-shaped, and can bein fluid-flow communication with a generally axially or downwardlyextending flow-guiding channel (not shown) formed in the outer surface84 of the tube sidewall 74.

Each such overflow guide slot 88 extends completely through the tubesidewall 74 having at least one end disposed below the mouth 50 of theoverflow tube 52 a causing water received in the tube mouth 50 from thedischarge 47 to fill up the interior of the tube 52 a until it reachesthe slot 88. Once water in the tube 52 a filling up the tube 52 areaches the slot 88, water overflows out the slot 88 down the outersurface 84 of the tube sidewall 74 into the basin 42 below. As a result,water from the discharge 47 filling up the tube 52 a never completelyfills up the tube 52 a such that any water falling from the discharge 47into the tube 52 a impact water in the tube 52 a below the mouth 50.This advantageously minimizes if not substantially completely preventssplashing.

FIG. 2A illustrates another preferred embodiment of an overflow petfountain 40 b that includes an overflow tube 52 b extending upwardly outof a drinking basin 42 that holds water 44 that is drunk by a cat orother pet during use or operation that includes one or more dischargeports 90 through which water overflows from the tube 52 b. The fountain40 b shown in FIG. 2A also includes a pump (not shown in FIG. 2A) thatcommunicates water 44 from the basin 42 to the fountain head 48 in amanner that is the same as or similar to that of the fountain 40 a ofFIG. 1. As is shown in FIG. 2A, the tube 52 b is elongate, hollow anddefined by a sidewall 54 that can be of endless construction which has aplurality of discharge ports 90 out which water in the tube 52 b flowsonce water in the tube 52 b reaches at least the level of the ports 90.As is best depicted in FIG. 2B, each port 90 is a through-bore or holethat extends completely through the tube sidewall 74 in fluid flowcommunication with a water holding cavity within the tube 52 b definedby tube sidewall 74.

In the fountain embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, the discharge ports 90 canbe arranged in a row and circumferentially spaced apart about theperiphery of the overflow tube 52 b. In the overflow tube embodimentshown in FIG. 2A, there is a plurality of pairs, i.e., at least three,of axially spaced apart rows 92, 94 and 96 of circumferentially spacedapart discharge ports 90 with at least one of the rows 92, 94 and/or 96of ports 90 being disposed above the water line 80 of water 44 in thefountain basin 42. The number of discharge ports 90 along with thesurface area of each port 90 are selected so that water expelled fromthe fountain discharge 47 into the mouth 50 of the overflow tube 52 bwill overflow out ports 90 in a substantially laminar flow that adheresto the outer surface 84 of the tube sidewall 74 as it flows downwardlyinto water 44 in the basin 42.

Positioning each row 92, 94 and 96 of ports 90 below the overflow tubemouth 50 also advantageously ensures water overflowing from the tube 52b will do so below the mouth 50. This permits water expelled from thedischarge 47 to free fall from a significant height above the tube mouth50 before impacting water already inside the tube 52 a therebyminimizing splashing. Splashing is minimized because, to the extent anysplashing takes place on impact of water expelled from the discharge 47against water already in the tube 52 b, the splashing is confined withinthe tube 52 a and does not extend outwardly beyond the tube 52 a.

Each one of the discharge ports 90 is integrally formed, preferablymolded, into the overflow tube sidewall 74 when the overflow tube 52 bis made. Each port 90 can be generally circular or oblong, e.g. oval, ifdesired. In a preferred discharge port configuration shown in FIG. 2B,one or more of the discharge ports 90 can be configured with a slopingor inclined flow guide 98 that helps encourage laminar flow of water 82overflowing out the ports 90 down the tube sidewall 74. Where configuredwith a flow guide 98, the flow guide 98 can also help guide the flow ofwater overflowing from the port 90 in a desired direction along theouter surface 84 of the tube sidewall 74.

In the preferred discharge port configuration shown in FIG. 2B, one ormore of the ports 90 can be oblong with its longitudinal axis generallyparallel to or generally aligned with the lengthwise direction of thetube 52 b. Each port 90 is generally oblong and can be generallyteardrop shaped as shown in FIG. 2B with the flow guide 98 being definedby converging side edges 100 and 102 of the teardrop shaped port 90.

To help provide control over at least some of the flow of water 82overflowing out at least some of the discharge ports 90, the overflowtube 52 b can include a flow adjuster 104 that can be a collar 106 ofannular or tubular construction that can be moved to block one or moredischarge ports 90 or one or more rows 92, 94, and/or 96 of dischargeports 90 as desired. Such a flow adjuster 104 can be axiallydisplaceable by being telescoped over the tube 52 b and be slidablerelative to the tube sidewall 74 to cover and block flow of water outone or more of the ports 90 and/or one or more rows 92, 94, and/or 96 ofports 90 as desired. If desired, such a flow adjuster 104 can beconfigured to axially move relative to the tube 52 b along the tubesidewall 74 to block ports 90 and/or rows 92, 94 and/or 96 of ports 90via a twisting motion. For example, the flow adjuster 104 can beconfigured with one or more radially inwardly extending tabs or fingers(not shown) received in a corresponding curved, e.g. helical or spiral,slot or channel (not shown) formed in the outer surface 84 of the tubesidewall 74 that axially guides flow adjuster movement, such as up ordown along the tube 52 b, as the flow adjuster 104 is twisted or rotatedrelative to the tube 52 b.

The flow adjuster 104 shown in FIG. 2A is a tubular collar 106, e.g.,tube, which is telescopically received on the overflow tube 52 b. Theflow adjuster 104 is shown in FIG. 2A disposed in a first position whereit covers a top row 92 of discharge ports 90 (shown in phantom in FIG.2A) blocking the top row 92 of ports 90 preventing water in the tube 52b from overflowing out the top row 92 of ports 90. When it is desired topermit water to overflow out the top row 92 of ports 90, the flowadjuster tube 106 is lowered relative to the tube 52 b to a secondposition below the first position to uncover and unblock the top row 92of ports 90. Moving the flow adjuster tube 106 to such a secondposition, positions it closer to the water line 80 where the flowadjuster tube 106 can and preferably does cover and block at least oneof the other rows 94 and/or 96 of discharge ports 90. Where it isdesired to unblock all of the discharge ports 90, the flow adjuster tube106 can be slid or otherwise moved downwardly along the overflow tube 52b until it is disposed below the bottom-most row 96 of ports 90.

The flow adjuster tube 106 can also be moved relative to the overflowtube 52 b to extend it upwardly beyond the mouth 50 of the overflow tube52 b to effectively extend the length of the tube 52 b by disposing theupper end (and mouth) of the flow adjuster tube 106 closer to thefountain discharge 47. The flow adjuster tube 106 can be raised orlowered relative to the overflow tube 52 b using routine testing andexperimentation by a fountain user to reduce and substantially preventsplashing for a wide range of volumetric flow rates of water 72 expelledout the discharge 47.

In a method of operation, the flow adjuster tube 106 can be configuredto block a plurality of rows 92, 94 and/or 96 of ports 90 of an overflowtube 52 a so as to allow one row of ports 90 to remain open whileblocking one or more of the other remaining rows of ports 90. Such aflow adjuster tube 106 can be manipulated by a fountain user to open atleast one row 92, 94 and/or 96 of ports 90 relative to the water line 80of water 44 in the basin 42 so as to cause the overflow tube 52 b tooverflow water 82 out ports 90 higher than the water line 80 of water 44disposed in the basin 42. This in turn lowers the level of water insidethe overflow tube 52 b sufficiently below that of its mouth 50preventing splashing when water 72 expelled from discharge 47 falls intothe tube 52 b.

In one preferred method implementation, the flow adjuster tube 106 canbe adjusted to cause overflow from ports 90 or a row, e.g., row(s) 92and/or 94, of ports 90 high enough above the water line 80 to permit acat to drink from the water 82 flowing down the outside of the overflowtube 52 b. For example, if it is desired for the top row 92 of ports 90to be uncovered, since the top row 92 of ports 90 is spaced well abovethe water line 80, the flow adjuster tube 106 is moved downwardly alongthe overflow tube 52 b to unblock the top row 92 of ports 90. Thisallows water to overflow from the overflow tube 52 b out the top row 92of ports 90 and flow downwardly along the outside of the overflow tubesidewall 74 into water 44 in the basin 42.

This also permits the flow adjuster tube 106 to be positioned in amanner that adjusts flow of water overflowing out the ports 90 inresponse to changes in the flow rate of water 72 expelled out thefountain discharge 47. In this regard, where the flow rate beingexpelled from the discharge 47 into the overflow tube 52 b is relativelylow, the flow adjuster tube 106 can be positioned along the overflowtube 52 b to open as few as one or two discharge ports 90 or as littleas a single row, e.g., 92, 94 and/or 96 of ports 90 in order to ensurethat a desired amount of water 82 overflows from the overflow tube 52 bout the open discharge ports 90 and along the outer surface 84 of thetube sidewall 74.

Conversely, where the flow rate being flowing out the fountain discharge47 into the overflow tube 52 b is relatively great, the flow adjustertube 106 can be positioned along the tube 52 b to open more ports 90. Inthis regard, the flow adjuster tube 106 can be moved along overflow tube52 b so it is disposed within the basin 42 and completely covered bywater 44 in the basin 42 unblocking substantially all of the ports 90.In another preferred method implementation, the flow adjuster tube 106can be moved to a position along the overflow tube 52 b where at leastpart of the flow adjuster tube 106 is disposed above the water line 80so that a plurality of rows, e.g., rows 92 and 94, of ports 90 is openallowing water to overflow out the open ports 90.

FIG. 3 illustrates another preferred overflow fountain embodiment 40 cwhere the overflow tube 52 c is part of an overflow tube assembly 108where tube 52 c is defined by an upper overflow tube 110 that seats in alower overflow anchor tube 112 that is carried by the fountain base 60that can extend upwardly from the bottom 56 of the fountain basin 42 asshown. The lower tube 112 can be anchored to the basin bottom 56 in amanner that allows removal and reattachment of the tube 112, enablingcleaning of the overflow tube assembly 108 in a dishwasher or the like.

Such an overflow tube assembly 108 can be both height adjustable andflow adjustable. If desired, such an overflow tube assembly, e.g.overflow tube assembly 108, can be height adjustable and can be heightadjustable without being flow adjustable. If desired, such an overflowtube assembly, e.g. overflow tube assembly 108, constructed inaccordance with the present invention can be configured to be flowadjustable without being height adjustable.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, the upper overflow tube 110 istelescopically coupled to the lower overflow anchor tube 112 in a mannerthat permits relative movement therebetween. In a preferred embodiment,the upper tube 110 is telescopically received in the lower tube 112 andengaged in a manner such that twisting of the upper tube 110 in eitherdirection, such as indicated by bidirectional arrow 111, relative to thelower tube 112 changes the length of the overall overflow tube assembly108 in a corresponding longitudinal direction indicated by bidirectionalarrow 113. In this regard, as depicted in FIG. 3, twisting of the uppertube 110 in one direction moves the mouth 50 of the upper tube 110closer to the fountain discharge 47, lengthening the overflow tubeassembly 108, and twisting of the upper tube 110 in the oppositedirection moves the mouth 50 of the upper tube 110 farther away from thedischarge 47, shortening the overflow tube assembly 108.

Where twisting or turning one tube 110 relative to the other tube 112 isdone to change overall overflow tube length, one of the tubes 110 isconfigured to engage the other one of the tubes 112 in a manner thatenables relative rotary, e.g., twisting or turning, movement to do so.For example, although not shown in the drawings, one of the tubes 110 or112 can be configured with inwardly extending tabs or fingers receivedin corresponding slots or channels formed in the other one of the tubes112 or 110 (or vice versa).

As is also shown in FIG. 3, the upper tube 110 has a width or diameterthat is smaller than the width or diameter of the lower tube 112. Thisenables the upper tube 110 to be telescopically received in the lowertube 112, such as by being inserted into the lower tube 112 duringfountain assembly. If desired, the upper tube 110 can be constructed tohave a width or diameter that is larger than the width or diameter ofthe lower tube 112 enabling the upper tube 110 to be telescoped over thelower tube 112.

Where it is desired to limit how much water needs to be expelled fromthe fountain discharge 47 into the mouth 50 of the overflow tubeassembly 108 until overflow occurs, the overflow tube assembly 108 caninclude a wall or baffle 114 of imperforate construction disposedbetween its mouth 50 and end opposite mouth 50 that reduces the volumeof water the overflow tube assembly 108 can hold inside it. Such animperforate wall or baffle 114 extends generally transversely relativeto the water stream 72 entering the overflow tube mouth 50 and isdisposed within the overflow tube assembly 108 between its mouth 50 andthe basin bottom 56. Such an imperforate overflow water holding volumelimiting wall or baffle 114 can be formed as part of the upper tube 110,such as an end wall or bottom of tube 110, or can be formed as part ofthe lower tube 112, such as a top wall of tube 112.

In the preferred overflow tube assembly 108 shown in FIG. 4, theimperforate wall or baffle 114 is disposed within the upper tube 110between the mouth 50 and basin bottom 56 limiting the water holdingvolume within the upper tube 110 to less than the total volume insidethe entire assembly 108. Where the overflow tube is of one-piece andunitary construction, like overflow tubes 52 a and 52 b, such anoverflow tube volume limiting wall or baffle 114 can be disposed withinthe tube 52 a and/or 52 b between the mouth 50 of the tube and the end76 opposite the mouth 50.

Where the overflow tube is an assembly composed of multiple components,such as the overflow tube assembly 108 shown in FIG. 3, the overflowtube volume limiting baffle or wall 114 can be an integrally formed partof the upper overflow tube 110 or can be an integrally formed part ofthe lower overflow tube 112. Where the overflow tube volume limitingwall or baffle 114 is part of the lower overflow tube 112, relativemovement between the upper and lower tubes 110 and 112 can cause theoverflow cavity volume within the upper tube 110 to correspondinglyincrease or decrease.

Depending upon where the overflow tube volume limiting wall or baffle114 is located relative to discharge ports 90 formed in the upperoverflow tube 110, relative movement between the tubes 110 and 112 canposition the wall or baffle 114 above or below ports 90 therebycontrolling overflow out the ports 90 such as by either obstructing flowthrough them or opening them. For example, where the wall or baffle 114shown in FIG. 3 remains stationary relative to the single row of ports90 and the upper tube 110 when the upper tube 110 is moved relative tothe lower tube 112, movement of the ports 90 to a position below thewall or baffle 114 will prevent water from flowing out the ports 90effectively blocking them. While the wall or baffle 114 is shown in FIG.3 disposed at or adjacent a top edge or outer end 116 of the lower tube112, the wall or baffle 114 can be positioned adjacent and below the rowof discharge ports 90 in the upper tube 110 so that shortening thelength of the overflow tube assembly 108 will prevent flow out thedischarge ports 90. Where there is no other discharge port 90 locatedabove the wall or baffle 114, doing so will cause water to overflow fromthe mouth 50 of the upper tube 110 as all ports 90 will have beeneffectively blocked.

FIG. 4 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the overflow fountain40 d having a fountain discharge 47 in fluid-flow communication with awater-conveying bridge 117 that conveys a water stream 120 from thedischarge 47 toward water 44 in the fountain basin 42. The bridge 117extends from the discharge 47 conveying a water stream 120 from thedischarge 47 along the bridge 117 toward the basin 42 in a manner thatpermits an animal, such as a cat, to drink from the water stream 120while it flows along the bridge 117.

In the fountain embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the bridge 117 is elongate,arched and extends from the discharge 47 to an overflow tube 52 d wherewater flows from the bridge 117 into the mouth 50 of the tube 52 d. Asis also shown in FIG. 4, the end of the bridge 117 disposed influid-flow communication with the overflow tube mouth 50 preferably hasa width no greater than the width or diameter of the mouth 50. While thewidth of the opposite end of the bridge 117 that is disposed influid-flow communication with the discharge 47 can be wider than thedischarge 47, it preferably has a width no greater than the width of thedischarge 47 as also shown in FIG. 4.

The bridge 117 is a generally U-shaped water transport channel 118 thatextends downwardly from the discharge 47 to the overflow tube 52 dallowing a water stream 120 to relatively smoothly flow down the channel118 in a manner that allows a cat to drink from the stream 120 beforeentering the mouth 50 of the tube 52 d. The channel 118 can be formed asa separate component that snaps onto the fountain head 48 and snaps ontopart of the overflow tube 52 d. If desired, the channel 118 can beintegrally formed as part of either the fountain head 48 or the tube 52d.

Where separate from the channel 118, the overflow tube 52 d can beelongate, tubular, of one-piece, unitary, and substantially homogeneousconstruction, such as by being formed, e.g. plastic injection molded, ofplastic or another suitable material. Part of the mouth 50 of the tube52 d can be configured to mate or otherwise register with part of an endof the channel 118. The tube 52 d can be a single elongate tube asdepicted in FIG. 4 having a plurality of discharge ports 90 disposedabove a water line 80 of water 44 in the basin 42 with the plurality ofdischarge ports 90 being arranged in a row if desired. In this regard,the row of ports 90 formed in the tube 52 d shown in FIG. 4 is spacedapart about the entire circumference or periphery of the tube 52 d andcan be equidistantly spaced apart from one another if desired. The tube52 d can be configured with an overflow tube volume limiting wall orbaffle 114 that can be integrally formed as part of the tube 52 d or canbe a separate component that can be inserted through the mouth 50 of thetube 52 d inside the tube 52 d.

If desired, the overflow tube volume limiting wall or baffle 114 can bea divider that divides the overflow tube 52 d into an upper overflowtube section 122 and a lower intake tube section 124 having a perforateintake 125 formed of intake grate apertures 126 formed in the tubesidewall 74 in fluid flow communication with an intake conduit 128underlying the basin bottom 56 that is in fluid flow communication withthe pump 46. Where the basin 42 is carried by or formed by the fountainbase 60, the intake conduit 128 can be disposed within the base 60 as isalso depicted in FIG. 4.

As with other overflow tube embodiments discussed herein, the overflowtube 52 d can be configured to snap into the fountain base 60, such asby being configured to snap into a recess or receptacle 78 formed in thebottom wall 56 of the basin 42. Other types of arrangements arecontemplated as being within the scope of the present invention toenable attachment of the overflow tube 52 d to part of the fountain 40d, typically the bottom 56 of the fountain basin 42. Such an attachmentarrangement preferably enables overflow tube removal to facilitatefountain disassembly for cleaning, such as by being washed in adishwasher. As such, substantially all of the components of each one ofthe fountain embodiments discussed herein are preferably of dishwashersafe construction.

Where an overflow tube 52 d is configured to include a perforate intake125, the intake apertures 126 can be elongate slots arranged to form anintake grate 130 integrally formed of a bottom part 124 of the overflowtube 52 d that is submerged below the water line 80 of water 44 in thebasin 42. The intake grate 130 can be annular and can be formed ofaxially or longitudinally extending slots 126 circumferentially spacedapart about substantially the entire circumference of the overflow tube52 d. As is shown in FIG. 4, each intake aperture 126 has at least asubstantial portion, i.e., more than 50%, of its open water conveyingsurface area disposed below the water level 80 of water 44 in the basin42. If desired, the width of each intake aperture 126 can vary frombeing relatively narrow at or adjacent a top end of the aperture 126 tobeing wider at or adjacent a bottom end of the aperture 126 to therebyprevent debris floating on top of the water, e.g. at or about waterlevel 80, from being drawn into the intake apertures 126 during pumpoperation.

In the preferred but exemplary fountain embodiment shown in FIG. 4, thefountain 40 d is configured with a plurality of intakes 66 and 125 withone of the intakes 66 in fluid flow communication with the pump 46 beingformed in part of the basin sidewall 54 disposed adjacent the pump 46and another one of the intakes 125 formed in a bottom portion 124 of theoverflow tube 52 d in fluid flow communication with the pump 46 via anintake fluid conveying conduit 128 disposed in the base 60, e.g., formedin the basin bottom wall 56, of the fountain 40 d. Although not shown inFIG. 4, a filter can be disposed upstream of the pump 46 and downstreamfrom one or both of the intakes 66 and 125 of the fountain 40 d. Such afilter can be substantially the same as or similar to the filter 68shown in FIG. 1. Such a filter can include filter media, e.g. fibrous,woven, fabric, or other porous particulate trapping media, alone or incombination with a neutralizing media, such as an activated charcoal,another activated material, and/or can also include another type ofchemical/odor/taste neutralizing material.

FIG. 5A illustrates still another preferred embodiment of an overflowfountain 40 e constructed in accordance with the present invention thathas an overflow tube 52 e configured to direct water overflowing 82 fromthe tube 52 e down part 132 of an outer surface 84 of the tube sidewall74 located close enough to an adjacent part 134 of the basin sidewall 54that a pet, such as a cat, can drink from the overflowing water 82 whilesitting or standing next to the fountain 40 e. The overflow tube 52 e isangled relative to the flow of water 72 being discharged from thefountain discharge 47 toward an adjacent part 134 of the basin sidewall54 so that at least a portion 132 of the outer tube surface 84 facingtowards the adjacent part 134 of the basin sidewall 54 is located closeenough for a pet, such as a cat, sitting or standing next to thefountain 40 d to reach the adjacent portion 132 of the outer tubesurface 84 with their mouth, including their tongue, to drink. Anglingthe overflow tube 52 e so the adjacent part 132 of the outer surface 84of the tube sidewall 74 is inclined toward the adjacent part 134 of thebasin sidewall 54, enables a pet, such as a cat, to be able to easilyand conveniently drink overflowing water 82 flowing down the adjacentpart 132 of the outer surface 84 of the tube sidewall 74 into the basin42.

As is shown in FIG. 5A, the overflow tube 52 e can be curved or have acurved portion that positions at least part 132 of its outer tubesidewall surface 84 close enough to an adjacent part 134 of the basinsidewall 54 that a pet, such as a cat, sitting or standing on the groundor floor next to that part 134 of the basin sidewall 54 can drink wateroverflowing from the tube 52 e. The overflow tube 52 e has at least onedischarge port 90 a facing generally outwardly toward the adjacent part134 of the basin sidewall 54 so that overflow flows out the port 90 adown part 132 of the outer tube sidewall surface 84 facing toward theadjacent part 134 of the basin sidewall 54 enabling a cat to drink thewater flowing down that part 132 of the tube 52 e. In the overflow tubeembodiment shown in FIG. 5A, the overflow tube 52 e has a plurality ofdischarge ports 90 a and 90 b formed in the adjacent part 132 of theouter surface 84 of the tube sidewall 74 facing toward the adjacent part134 of the basin sidewall 54 to help make it easy and convenient for apet, such as a cat, to drink water overflowing 82 from the ports 90 aand 90 b.

Although not shown, the overflow tube 52 e can include a flow guidedisposed adjacent the outwardly facing discharge port 90 a that helpsguide water flowing from the port 90 a along the outwardly facing part132 of the outer tube sidewall surface 84 that is disposed closest toand faces toward an adjacent part 134 of the basin sidewall 54. Such aflow guide can include a pair of upraised sides or edges that can beelongate and extend generally axially or longitudinally along part,e.g., outwardly facing part 132, of the outer tube sidewall surface 84below and on either side of the outwardly facing discharge port 90 a. Inone embodiment, the flow guide is an elongate channel integrally formedin the outer tube sidewall surface 84 that extends from below theoutwardly facing discharge port 90 a downwardly toward the basin bottom56.

If desired, the overflow tube 52 e can include one or more dischargeports 90 b disposed on either side of the outwardly facing port 90 athrough which water overflowing from the tube 52 e can overflow out theport 90 b substantially simultaneously with water flowing out theoutwardly facing port 90 a. If desired, the discharge ports 90 a and 90b can be located close enough together such that each stream of water 82a and 82 b flowing from them can converge as depicted in FIG. 5A to forma relatively smooth sheet 136 of water that flows downwardly oversubstantially one half of the outer tube sidewall surface 84 closest tothe basin sidewall 54 facing toward the sidewall 54.

FIG. 5B illustrates another preferred embodiment of an overflow tube 52e′ having a portion of its mouth 50 configured with an overflow director138 facing outwardly generally toward the adjacent portion 134 of thebasin sidewall 54 to direct water overflowing 140 from the tube 52 e′downwardly along the outer surface 84 of the tube sidewall 74 toward theadjacent portion 134 of the basin sidewall 54. In the overflow tubeembodiment shown in FIG. 5B, the outer edge 142 of the tube sidewall 74that defines the mouth 50 has a cutout portion 144 that faces outwardlytoward the adjacent portion 134 of the basin sidewall 54 that is anoverflow director 138 to direct flow along part 132 of the outer tubesidewall surface 84 that faces toward the adjacent portion 134 of thebasin sidewall 54. Such a cutout portion 144 can be a slot, such as theaxially or longitudinally extending elongate slot depicted in FIG. 5B, anotch, or even a three-dimensionally contoured spout pointing toward anadjacent portion 134 of the basin sidewall 54.

If desired, the cutout portion 144 can be in fluid-flow communicationwith a channel (not shown), such as a generally U-shaped channelintegrally formed in part 132 of the outer surface 84 of the tubesidewall 74 facing the adjacent portion 134 of the basin sidewall 54,that guides water flow so at least some of the overflowing water 140flows down part 132 of the outer tube sidewall surface 84 close enoughfor a cat to drink. Although a single cutout 144 is shown in FIG. 5B,the overflow tube 52 e′ can be formed with more than one cutout 144, ifdesired, which are configured to cooperate with one another direct formor direct water overflowing from the tube 52 e′ so it flows down thepart 132 of the tube sidewall surface 84 facing toward an adjacent(closest located) portion 134 of the basin sidewall 54.

FIG. 6A illustrates another preferred embodiment of an overflow fountain40 f having an angled or curved overflow tube 52 f configured to directoverflowing water 146 so it flows down part 148 of an outer tubesidewall surface 84 that is inclined toward water 44 in the basin 42.The tube 52 f is configured so that the amount of water that flowsdownwardly along the underside 148 of the tube sidewall surface 84clings or adheres to the sidewall surface 84 via surface tension orcapillary action thereby preventing water from dropping (or dripping)from the tube 52 f into water 44 in the basin 42. As is shown in FIG.6A, water can overflow from a discharge port 150 that is elongate, e.g.,oblong, oriented generally transversely relative to the longitudinal oraxial direction of the elongate tube 52 f. Such an elongated dischargeport 150 preferably is also elongated transversely relative to thedirection of flow of water 146 overflowing out the port 150. Such atransversely oriented elongate port 150 can be configured to more evenlydistribute a generally uniform flow, e.g. sheet 146, of water along theunderside 148 of the outer surface 84 of the tube sidewall 74 facingtoward or inclined toward the surface 80 of water 44 in the basin 42 sothat it adheres or clings to the tube 52 f all the way until it reachesthe water 44 in the basin 42. Angling or orienting the tube 52 f in sucha manner having the overflow 146 being directed along the underside 148to the tube 52 f enables a cat to drink water 146 while it flowsdownwardly clinging to the underside 148 of the tube 52 f. Such afountain construction enables a cat to drink from water 44 in the basin42, water free falling from the fountain discharge 47, or water 146flowing down the basin-water facing underside 148 of the overflow tube52 f.

FIG. 6B illustrates another embodiment of an overflow tube 52 f having adischarge port arrangement formed of a plurality of discharge ports 150a, 150 b, 150 c, 150 d, 150 e and 150 f disposed along part of theunderside surface 148 of the tube 52 f that are configured and arrangedto more evenly distribute water 146 discharged from the ports 150 a-150f so it produces a more uniform sheet of water 146 that clings oradheres to the underside surface 148 of the tube 52 f until it reachesthe water 44 in the basin 42. As a result such a flow spreadingdischarge port configuration depicted in FIGS. 6A and 6B, splashing,dripping or dropping of water 146 flowing down the tube 52 f or 52 finto the water 44 in the basin 42 is prevented.

In one embodiment, the overflow tube is oriented, such as by beingcurved or angled, relative to the direction of flow of water beingdischarged from the fountain head outlet and/or relative to thegenerally horizontal surface of water in the basin so that water flowsfrom the overflow tube downwardly along a top or outer surface of thetube sidewall and water flows from the tube downwardly along a bottom orunderside surface of the tube sidewall. Such an overflow tube can beconfigured with one or more discharge ports that generally faceoutwardly toward a basin sidewall and one or more discharge ports thatface generally downwardly toward the surface of the water in the basincreating at least one stream or sheet of water that adheres or clings toan outwardly facing portion of the outer tube sidewall surface, such asin the manner depicted in FIGS. 5 and/or 5A, until it reaches the waterin the basin and at least one stream or sheet of water that adheres orclings to an inwardly or downwardly facing portion of the outer tubesidewall surface, such as in the manner depicted in FIGS. 6 and/or 6A,until it also reaches the water in the basin. Each of the dischargeports are configured and arranged to substantially simultaneouslyproduce upper and lower streams or sheets of water that both cling oradhere to the tube until it reaches water in the basin without dripping,splashing or otherwise freefalling from the tube into the basin.

Such a fountain construction advantageously caters to cats having manydifferent types of drinking preferences. Such a fountain constructionprovides an open basin from which a cat can drink from water in thebasin. Such a fountain construction provides a free-falling stream ofwater from which a cat can drink, if they prefer. Such a fountainconstruction also advantageously provides a relatively smoothly flowingstream or sheet of water flowing down an outwardly facing outer surfaceof the overflow tube sidewall that faces outwardly toward part of abasin sidewall enabling a cat to drink water while sitting or standingwithout having to crane their neck towards water in the basin. Such afountain construction further advantageously provides a relativelysmoothly flowing stream or sheet of water flowing down a downwardlyfacing surface of the tube sidewall, e.g. downwardly inclined surface;it can be disposed so it faces towards water in the basin for cats thatprefer to drink from flowing water in such an orientation.

FIG. 7A illustrates a still further preferred fountain 40 g that can beconfigured to be used with an overflow tube, such as any one of theoverflow tube embodiments discussed above, but which includes awater-conveying bridge 151 that conveys water expelled from discharge 47toward the basin 42. The bridge 151 shown in FIG. 7A extends to thewater line 80 of water 44 in the fountain basin 42 but can extend to themouth, e.g., mouth 50, of an overflow tube, such as one or more of tubes52 a-52 f, if desired. During recirculating fountain operation, a waterstream 156 clings or adheres via surface tension to an underside 153 ofthe bridge 151 as the water stream 156 flows toward water 44 in thebasin 42.

The bridge 151 is formed of a generally U-shaped water-transport channel152 which conveys water streams 154 and 156 from water expelled from thefountain discharge 47 along opposite sides 178 and 180 of the channel152 into water 44 in the basin 42 below. The channel 152 has a channelbed 158 on which one stream 154 of water flows and has an underside 160along which another water stream 156 clings via surface tension untilboth water streams 154 and 156 flows into water 44 in the fountain basin42 below.

A flow splitter 162 disposed adjacent the fountain discharge 47 splitsor separates the flow of water 155 exiting the fountain discharge 47into a first stream of water 156 that clings or adheres to the underside160 of the channel bed 158 via surface tension or capillary action untilthe lower stream 156 flows into water 44 in the fountain basin 42. Theflow splitter 162 is configured so that at least some of the flow ofwater 155 exiting the discharge 47 stays on the bed 158 forming a secondstream of water 154 that flows on top of the bed 158 until the upperstream 154 flows into water 44 in the basin 42.

As is shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the flow splitter 162 works in concertwith a flow separating aperture 164 formed in the bed 158 that extendscompletely through the bed 158 allowing some water exiting the fountaindischarge 47 to be directed by the flow splitter 162 so its thrustcarries it generally parallel to the underside 160 of the bed 158 so itclings or adheres to the underside 160 via surface tension withoutdripping or free-falling into water 44 in the basin 42 below until thewater stream 156 reaches the water 44 in the basin 42.

The flow splitter 162 includes a flow diverter 163 that includes a flowdiverting tongue 166 defined by a flow separating aperture 164 that canbe generally U-shaped, like the aperture 164 depicted in FIG. 7B. Thetongue 166 can be elongate, face in the direction of water flow, and caninclude an offset 168 that offsets a flow directing upper surface 170extending generally in the same direction as an adjacent portion of thebed 158 below an adjacent downstream portion of the underside 160 of thebed 158 so the separated stream 156 is directed generally along theunderside 160 so it clings or adheres via surface tension or capillaryaction to the underside 160. The tongue 166 can have a widthsubstantially same as that of the bed 158 to help spread flow of thediverted stream 156 along substantially the entire width of theunderside 160 of the bed 158.

In a preferred but exemplary embodiment, the tongue 166 extends in thedirection of water flow and can have a generally L-shaped longitudinalcross-section with the offset 168 being a bend or angle from which aflow directing surface 170 extends that is generally parallel to theunderside 160 of the bed 158. In the preferred but exemplary embodimentshown in FIG. 7C, the flow directing surface 170 of the flow spreadingtongue 166 is offset below and generally parallel to the portion of theunderside 160 of the bed 158 immediately downstream of the flow splitter162. As discussed in more detail below, the flow splitter 162 can alsobe configured to spread out the flow of water along the underside 160 ofthe channel.

If desired, the tongue 166 can be configured so its forward edge 172extends beyond the flow separating aperture 164, such as depicted inFIG. 7C, to help ensure separated flow 156 will cling or adhere viasurface tension or capillary action to the underside 160 of the bed 158.If desired, the forward edge 172 of the flow separating tongue 166 canbe formed with an upturned lip, such as also depicted in FIG. 7C, thatextends upwardly toward an adjacent part of the underside 160 of the bed158 to control the width of the gap or space between the tongue 166 andthe underside 160 of the bed 158 defined by part of the aperture 164. Ifdesired, a leading edge 174 of the bed 158 can be tapered, such as to aknife-edge, to help split the flow of water exiting the fountaindischarge 47 into the upper and lower water streams 154 and 156, such asfurther depicted in FIG. 7C.

If desired, the flow splitter 162 can be configured so all orsubstantially all of the flow being pumped upwardly from the basin 42flows along the underside 160 clinging via surface tension to theunderside 160 until it reaches water 44 in the basin 42. Such aconfiguration preferably does so without any of the water flowing alongthe underside 160 dripping or otherwise free-falling into the water 44in the basin 42 below. While the flow splitter 162 can be disposed in achannel 152, such as depicted in FIGS. 7A-7B, the flow splitter 162 canbe disposed, e.g., molded or snapped into, in the fountain head 48 oranother part of the arm 62 in communication with the fountain head 48,whether or not the fountain is configured to produce an upper stream ofwater 154.

If desired, part of the bed 158 adjacent and/or along the leading edge174 can be upraised in lieu of or in addition to the downwardly offsetflow splitter 162 to help split flow. For example, if desired, part ofthe bed 158 can be shaped similarly to or same as the flow splitter 162shown in one or more of FIGS. 7A-7C but oriented, e.g., flipped over orconversely oriented, so it is upraised relative to a downstream disposedpart of the bed 158 forming a flow diverter that catches some of thewater being expelled from the fountain discharge 47 and diverting it toform stream 156. Where so conversely oriented, the flow-diverting tongue166 extends in a direction opposite of flow and has an offset spacingits leading edge 172 above the channel bed 158.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A-7C, the water-conveyingchannel 152 is a curved arch 176 having a pair of upwardly extendingsides 178 and 180 spaced apart by the bed 158 over which the upperstream 154 of water flows during recirculating fountain operationdefining a generally U-shaped channel 152. The bed 158 can be flat orgenerally planar in a transverse direction, such as is depicted in FIG.7B, but can be concave or convex if desired. In another preferredembodiment, the sides 178 and 180 are defined by the outer side edges ofa bed 158 having a generally concave transverse contour. The underside160 of the bed 158 along which the bottom water stream 156 flows can behave a similar transverse cross-sectional configuration. For example,the underside 160 can be substantially planar in a transverse direction,concave, or convex. Underside 160 can also have a pair of spaced apartdownwardly extending side edges if desired.

Such a fountain construction produces upper and lower streams 154 and156 that flow down opposite sides of the arched or curvedwater-transport channel 152 enabling a cat sitting or standing on thefloor or ground upon which the fountain 40 g rests to (a) drink fromwater 44 in the basin 42, (b) drink from the upper stream of water 154flowing down the bed 158 of the channel 152, and/or (c) drink from thelower stream of water 156 flowing down the underside 160 of the bed 158clinging by surface tension to the underside 160. In a method ofoperation, water is pumped out the fountain discharge 47 at a flow ratethat enables water to flow along the underside 160 until it reacheswater 44 in the basin 42 without free-falling or dripping from theunderside 160 into water 44 in the basin 42. In one method of operation,water is pumped from the basin 42 to an elevation above the basin 42where it then flows along the underside 160 until it reaches water 44 inthe basin 42 without free-falling or dripping from the underside 160into water 44 in the basin 42. In another preferred method of operation,water pumped from the basin.

If desired, an embodiment of the water-conveying bridge 151 shown inFIGS. 7A-7C can be modified for use with any one of the overflow tubeembodiments 52 a-52 f shown in FIGS. 1-6A so water flows along thebridge 151 into the mouth 50 of the overflow tube, including by freefalling from an end of the bridge 151 into the overflow tube mouth 50.Such a water-conveying bridge 151 can be configured with a flow splitter162 that splits the flow of water exiting from the fountain discharge 47into a plurality of water streams with at least one of the streams 156clinging to an underside 153 of the bridge 151 via surface tension orcapillary action until it either flows into the overflow tube mouth 50and/or water 44 in the basin 42. Such a flow splitter 162 can beconfigured to split water exiting the discharge 47 into upper and lowerstreams 154 and 156 with one or both of the streams 154 and/or 156 beingreceived in the overflow tube mouth 50.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate another preferred embodiment of a overflow tubeequipped recirculating pet fountain 200 that is particularly well suitedfor use by cats but which also can be used by other pets, includingdogs. The fountain 200 has a base 202 that rests on a generally flatsurface, such as a floor or the ground, which includes sidewalls 204 and206 that extend upwardly from a bottom wall 208 (FIG. 9) to define awater holding basin 210 which holds water 212. As with the other drawingfigures, the basin 210 is open thereby allowing an animal to drink fromwater 212 in the basin 210.

The fountain 200 has a pedestal 214 that extends upwardly from the basin210 that is defined by a tubular upright 216 having an intake opening218 in fluid-flow communication with water 212 in the basin 210. Thepedestal 214 includes an upper basin 220 that can be open as depicteddefining an upper drinking bowl 222 from which a pet can also drinkwater 224. The upper bowl 222 includes a discharge spout 226 that can beintegrally formed of part of its sidewall 228 from which a stream ofwater 230 free falls into an overflow tube 232 extending upwardly fromthe lower basin 210 a distance from the tubular upright 216 of thepedestal 214.

Water discharged from the spout 226 free falls into an overflow tube 232that can be formed of a tubular sidewall 234 of endless constructionthat can be imperforate or which can include a plurality of spaced apartdischarge ports 236, such as the ports shown in phantom in FIG. 8 and insolid in FIG. 10, spaced from the mouth 238 of the tube 232. Duringoperation, water 212 in the basin 220 is drawn through a pump module 240containing a submersible pump, e.g., aquarium pump, and pumped upwardlythrough a water-conveying conduit 242 into the upper bowl 222 where itcauses the bowl 222 to fill up with water 224. Water pumped upwardly tothe upper bowl 222 fills up the bowl 222 until a stream of water 230flows from the spout 226 free-falling into the mouth 238 of the overflowtube 232 disposed below the spout 226.

Water received in the mouth 238 of the overflow tube 232 fills up awater-holding cavity 244 within the tube 232 until water 246 eitheroverflows back out the mouth 238 of the tube 232, such as depicted inFIG. 8, or out discharge ports 236 in the tube sidewall 234, such asdepicted in FIG. 10. Overflowing water 246 flows down the outer surface248 of the tube 232 into water 212 in the basin 210.

The upper bowl 222 can be configured to be removably attached, e.g., viasnap-fit, twist fit, frictional engagement, to the tubular upright 216in a manner enabling other types of upper basins and/or bowls to beattached to the upright 216 enabling a purchaser to build their ownfountain. Such a modular upper basin or upper bowl constructionadvantageously allows a bigger upper basin or upper bowl that is betterconfigured for a dog to drink from.

FIG. 11 illustrates another preferred recirculating fountain embodimentthat includes an overflow tube arrangement 250 with an overflow tube 252that delivers water free-falling into its mouth 254 into an intermediatebasin 256 that can be an open drinking bowl 258 from which a pet candrink from. The intermediate drinking bowl 258 extends upwardly from atubular base 260 attached to the bottom wall of the bottom basin 210.The intermediate drinking bowl 258 can include a plurality of spacedapart discharge ports 262 that can be arranged in an annularly extendingrow 264 from which water 266 in the intermediate drinking bowl 258 flowswhen the water in the bowl 258 reaches the height of the ports 262.

The intermediate bowl 258 and/or tubular base 260 can also be ofremovable and replaceable configuration, enabling a purchaser topurchase intermediate bowls or other components having differingconfigurations or constructions that carry an overflow tube arrangementsame as or similar to that shown in FIG. 11. Such a removable and/orreplaceable construction enables purchasers to build their fountain withdifferent modules that can be used to form or replace one or both ofbowls 222 and/or 258 with modules having differing configurations thatneed not necessarily include a drinking bowl.

FIG. 12 illustrates another preferred embodiment of a recirculatingoverflow fountain 40 h that includes an overflow tube 52 g extendingupwardly out of a drinking basin 42′ that holds water 44 that is drunkby a cat or other pet during use or operation. Overflow tube 52 g ofthis embodiment is shown as having a sidewall 74 that is devoid ofoverflow guides such that the outer surface 84 of the sidewall 74 maydefine a continuous outer circumferential surface along its entirelength and about its entire periphery. The water overflowing 82 from thetube 52 g exits the outer portion of mouth 50 after being received intoa central portion of mouth 50 from bridge 117′ that may be defined by agenerally U-shaped water transport channel 118′.

Referring now to FIG. 13, channel 118′ may include a back wall 268 andside walls 270, 272 arranged transversely on opposite sides of the backwall 268. In this embodiment, the back and side walls 268, 270, 272 areintegrally formed with each other and are curved continuously so as todefine a convex side 274 having a convex surface 276 that extends alongthe back and side walls 268, 270, 272 and faces generally toward the arm62 of the fountain 40 h and at least a portion of which also facesgenerally toward the lower drinking bowl 43(figure 12). Opposite theconvex side 274, the back and side walls 268, 270, 272 in combinationdefine a concave side 278 having a concave surface 280 that facesgenerally away from the arm 62 of the fountain 40 h (FIG. 12). Theconcave surface 280 may define a U-shaped channel that directs water inthe water stream 120 to flow along the bridge 117′ so as to present thewater stream 120 in the opposite direction of the arm 62 (FIG. 12). Thisallows an animal, such as a cat, to drink from the water stream 120while it flows along the bridge 117′.

Referring again to FIG. 12, a lower end 282 of the channel 118′ mayextend into an interior space 284 of the overflow tube 52 g so that atleast a portion of the lower end 282 is arranged concentrically inwardof the side wall 74 of the overflow tube 52 g. In this way, the lowerend 282 of the channel 118′ may define an outlet end of the channel118′, whereas an inlet end of the channel 118′ may be defined by anupper end 286 that connects to a basin 220′ at an outlet 288 arranged toallow water to pass through a portion of the sidewall 228 and flow intothe channel 118′ for delivery to the overflow tube 52 g. The outlet 288may be defined by a lower outlet wall 290 and a pair of opposing outletsidewalls 292, 294 that extend upwardly from the lower outlet wall 292and connect to an upper edge 296 of the sidewall 228. In thisembodiment, the basin 220′ is connected to the arm 62 of fountain 40 hin a cantilevered-type manner by the arm 62 being connected to a portionof the sidewall 228 that faces away from the overflow tube 52 g. In thisway, an entire bottom wall 298 of the basin 220′may be exposed and facetoward the basin 42′ that is arranged at least partially below the basin220′. As shown, the basin 220′ may be supported on opposing sides fromrespective interconnections between the side wall 228 and the arm 62 andbridge 117′, defining a space 300 between the upper basin 220′ and thelower basin 42′ of the overflow fountain 40 h.

Still referring to FIG. 12, a discharge 47′ of the conduit 70 isarranged at a location of the connection between an upper end of the arm62 and basin 220′ so that the discharge 47′ of conduit 70 and the outlet288 are on opposing sides of the basin 220′. In this embodiment, thedischarge 47′ extends through the sidewall 228 and is provided at alower height upon the sidewall 228 than the lower outlet wall 290 suchthat the discharge 47′ is arranged below a water level 300 of the basin220′. This may allow water to flow out of the discharge 47′ into avolume of water 224 below an upper surface that defines the water level300, which may minimize surface disruption of the water 224 in the basin220′ from which an animal, such as a cat, may drink. The basin 220′ mayextend partially transversely beyond a projection of a perimeter of thedrinking bowl 43 and the discharge 47′ may deliver water into the basin220′ at a location that is transversely outside of the projectedperimeter of the lower drinking bowl 43.

Still referring to FIG. 12, the animal may at least partially supportitself while drinking from the overflow fountain 40 h from a step 304that is arranged generally opposite the arm 62 with respect to the basin42′. In this embodiment, the step 304 is defined by a shelf 306 thatextends generally parallel to the bottom wall 56 and generallyperpendicular with respect to an upper portion(s) of the sidewall 54 ofthe basin 42′. As shown, the shelf 306 may define a lower surface 308that faces downwardly toward the water 44 in the lower drinking bowl 43.The lower surface 308 may be vertically spaced from the water level 80.An upper surface 310 of the shelf 306 faces upwardly away from the water44 and may include a gritty or other coating 312 which may enhancetraction for paws, for example, the front paws, of the animal that isdrinking from the overflow fountain 40 h. The step 304 may allow theanimal to lower its head to drink from the lower drinking bowl 43, toextend its head upwardly to drink from the upper drinking bowl 222, orfrom water running along the bridge 117′.

The present invention is directed to a recirculating pet water fountainthat includes a water-holding basin, a discharge located above thebasin, and a pump in fluid flow communication with water in the basinthat delivers water from the basin to the discharge. One fountainembodiment includes an overflow tube having a mouth receiving water fromthe discharge that overflows from the overflow tube into the basin.Another fountain embodiment includes a water-conveying bridge alongwhich water can cling via surface tension to an underside of the bridgewhile flowing toward water in the fountain basin. Water clinging viasurface tension to the bridge underside can flow directly into the basinor into the mouth of an overflow tube.

The mouth of the overflow tube is disposed above a water line of waterin the basin and water from the discharge can free fall into the mouthof the overflow tube. The overflow tube can extend upwardly from abottom of the basin. The overflow tube can be length adjustable enablingthe length of the overflow tube to be changed to change the distance theoverflow tube mouth is spaced above a water line of water in thefountain basin. The overflow tube can be movably coupled to an overflowtube anchor carried by the basin permitting relative movementtherebetween in adjusting overflow tube length. The overflow tube anchorcan be formed of or include a tube extending upwardly from a bottom ofthe basin that telescopically couples with the overflow tube.

A flow adjuster can be carried by the overflow tube that is movablerelative to the overflow tube between a first position where the flowadjuster extends outwardly beyond the mouth of the overflow tube and asecond position where the flow adjuster is disposed below the mouth ofthe overflow tube. The flow adjuster can be formed of or include acollar telescopically carried by the overflow tube. Such a collar can betubular and can be formed of a generally cylindrical tube.

One overflow tube embodiment has an intake disposed below a water lineof water in the basin with the intake being in fluid-flow communicationwith the pump. The overflow tube can be formed of an endless sidewallwith at least one discharge port formed in the tube sidewall that islocated between the overflow tube mouth and the water line of water inthe basin with water received in the overflow tube flowing out the atleast one discharge port into the basin. The intake is formed of aperforate intake grate formed in the overflow tube sidewall.

Another overflow tube embodiment has an endless sidewall with at leastone discharge port formed therein located between the overflow tubemouth and a water line of water in the basin with water received in theoverflow tube flowing out the at least one discharge port into thebasin. The at least one discharge port can include a flow director thatdirects water overflowing from the overflow tube out the at least onedischarge port in a desired flow direction along the outside of theoverflow tube. The flow director can be formed of a pair of convergingside edges of the at least one discharge port that converge in a desireddirection along which water flowing out the at least one discharge portis directed.

The overflow tube can include a flow adjuster carried by the tube thatis movable relative to the tube between a first position where the flowadjuster covers the at least one discharge port blocking flow of waterthrough the at least one discharge port and a second position uncoveringthe at least one discharge port permitting flow of water through the atleast one discharge port. The flow adjuster can be formed of or includea collar telescopically carried by the overflow tube.

An overflow tube embodiment has a plurality of discharge ports formed inthe overflow tube sidewall spaced apart from each other differentdistances from the overflow tube mouth. The overflow tube can include aflow adjuster carried by the tube that is movable relative to the tubebetween (a) a first position where the flow adjuster covers onedischarge port blocking flow of water through the one discharge port anduncovers another discharge port permitting flow of water through theanother discharge port, and (b) a second position uncovering the onedischarge port permitting flow of water through the one discharge portand covering the another discharge port permitting flow of water throughthe another discharge port. Such an overflow tube can be configured witha plurality of spaced apart sets of a plurality of discharge ports with(a) one set of a plurality of discharge ports covered and another set ofa plurality of discharge ports uncovered by the flow adjuster whendisposed in the first position and (b) the one set of the plurality ofdischarge ports uncovered and the another set of the plurality ofdischarge ports covered by the flow adjuster when disposed in the secondposition. The discharge ports of one set of plurality of discharge portscan be arranged in a first row spaced a first distance from the mouth ofthe overflow tube and the discharge ports of the another set ofplurality of discharge ports can be arranged in a second row spaced asecond distance from the mouth of the overflow tube that is farther awayfrom the mouth than the first distance.

In one fountain embodiment, the fountain basin has a basin bottombounded by an upwardly extending basin sidewall and the overflow tube isdefined by an endless sidewall having an outer surface facing toward anadjacent portion of the basin sidewall configured so water overflowingfrom the overflow tube flows down part of the outer overflow tubesidewall surface facing toward the adjacent portion of the basinsidewall so a pet can drink from water flowing down the tube sidewall.The overflow tube can be curved or angled relative to a stream of waterfree falling from the discharge into the mouth of the tube. The overflowtube can include a discharge port formed in the tube sidewall thatdirects flow of water received from the discharge into the overflow tubemouth out the discharge port flowing down at least a portion of theouter overflow tube sidewall surface facing toward the adjacent portionof the basin sidewall. The discharge port can be a hole in the tubesidewall, a slot extending transversely relative to a longitudinalextent of the tube, and can include a flow director that directs waterflowing out the discharge port in a desired flow direction along theouter overflow tube sidewall surface.

The flow director can be formed of a pair of converging side edges ofthe discharge port that converge in a desired direction along whichwater flowing out the discharge port is directed. The flow director canalso be formed in the mouth of the overflow tube such as by being formedin an outer edge of the mouth of the tube. Such a flow director can beformed of a cutout in the edge of the overflow tube that forms the mouthof the tube. The cutout can be slot extending from the mouth in agenerally longitudinal direction along the tube.

In a still further overflow tube embodiment, the overflow tube isdefined by an endless sidewall having an outer surface of the overflowtube sidewall with part of the outer overflow tube sidewall surfacefacing generally toward an adjacent portion of water in the basin andwater overflowing from the overflow tube clings or adheres via surfacetension to the part of the outer overflow tube sidewall surface facinggenerally toward water in the basin as the overflowing water flows intothe basin. The overflow tube can be curved or angled relative to astream of water free falling from the discharge into the mouth of theoverflow tube. The overflow tube can include a discharge port thatdirects flow of water overflowing from the tube along part of the outeroverflow tube sidewall surface facing generally downwardly toward waterin the basin.

A further fountain embodiment has a water-conveying bridge along whichwater flows from the fountain discharge downwardly into the mouth of anoverflow tube. The bridge can be configured so water clings to itsunderside as it flows down the bridge. The underside of the bridge canbe curved or arched along its lengthwise extent. The bridge can includeor be formed of an elongate channel extending from the discharge to theoverflow tube. The channel can be configured so it has an upturnedgenerally U-shaped cross section transverse to its longitudinal extent.

Another water-conveying bridge embodiment has a flow splitter thatsplits the stream of water from the discharge into a lower streamclinging or adhering via surface tension to the underside of the bridgeflowing toward the basin and an upper stream carried by an upper side ofthe water-conveying bridge flowing toward the basin. The flow splittercan be located downstream of the discharge. The flow splitter caninclude or be formed of a flow diverter that diverts water flowing outthe discharge to the underside of the bridge. The flow splitter can beformed or include a flow diverting tongue and flow diverting apertureformed in the bridge through water is diverted and flows toward theunderside of the bridge.

The water-conveying bridge can be formed of or include a water-transportchannel that can be generally U-shaped and elongate. The water-transportchannel can extend from the fountain discharge to the fountain basin.Where the fountain includes an overflow tube, the water-transportchannel can extend from the discharge to the overflow tube.

A further fountain embodiment has at least a first basin and a secondbasin that may be arranged at different heights to define upper andlower drinking bowls. The upper drinking bowl may extend partially overthe lower drinking bowl and partially transversely beyond a perimeter ofthe lower drinking bowl. The upper drinking bowl may be cantileversupported by an arm that extends from the lower drinking bowl or may besupported from opposing sides by an arm and a bridge that extend towardthe lower drinking bowl and engage the sidewall of the upper drinkingbowl. A step may be arranged with respect to the lower drinking bowlthat allows an animal to lower its head to drink from the lower drinkingbowl or to extend its head upwardly to drink from the upper drinkingbowl or from water running along the bridge.

It is also to be understood that, although the foregoing description anddrawings describe and illustrate in detail one or more preferredembodiments of the present invention, to those skilled in the art towhich the present invention relates, the present disclosure will suggestmany modifications and constructions as well which may includealternative combinations of two or more of the individual featuresmentioned from the same or different drawings or as otherwise evidentfrom the text and/or drawings and widely differing embodiments andapplications without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

It is claimed:
 1. A recirculating pet water fountain comprising: a firstwater-holding basin defining a lower drinking bowl; a discharge locatedabove the lower drinking bowl; a pump in fluid flow communication withwater in the basin that delivers water from the basin to the discharge;and a second water-holding basin defining an upper drinking bowlarranged at least partially above the lower drinking bowl and receivingwater from the discharge, the upper drinking bowl configured so thatwater flows out of the upper drinking bowl and into the lower drinkingbowl.
 2. The recirculating pet fountain of claim 1 wherein a space isdefined between a lower wall of the upper drinking bowl and the lowerdrinking bowl.
 3. The recirculating pet fountain of claim 1 wherein thedischarge extends through a sidewall of the upper drinking bowl.
 4. Therecirculating pet fountain of claim 1 wherein an arm extends between andconnects the first and second basins to each other.
 5. The recirculatingpet fountain of claim 4 wherein the arm defines a lower end connected toa sidewall of the first basin and an upper end connected to a sidewallof the second basin.
 6. The recirculating pet fountain of claim 4wherein the discharge is defined at an end of a conduit extending fromthe pump and extending through the arm.
 7. The recirculating petfountain of claim 4 wherein the discharge is arranged at an intersectionbetween the arm and the second basin.
 8. The recirculating pet fountainof claim 7 wherein the upper drinking bowl defines a water level andwherein the discharge is arranged to deliver water into the upperdrinking bowl at a location that is below the water level of the upperdrinking bowl.
 9. The recirculating pet fountain of claim 1 wherein theupper drinking bowl includes an outlet arranged to deliver water out ofthe upper drinking bowl toward the lower drinking bowl.
 10. Therecirculating pet fountain of claim 1 further comprising awater-conveying bridge that is in fluid-flow communication with theoutlet of the upper drinking bowl and along which water flows from theupper drinking bowl toward the lower drinking bowl.
 11. Therecirculating pet fountain of claim 10 wherein the water-conveyingbridge is configured so water clings or adheres via surface tension toan underside of the water-conveying bridge facing generally downwardlytoward the lower drinking bowl.
 12. The recirculating pet fountain ofclaim 10 wherein the water-conveying bridge comprises an elongatechannel extending from the discharge of the upper drinking bowl towardthe lower drinking bowl.
 13. The recirculating pet fountain of claim 12wherein the channel has a generally U-shaped cross section.
 14. Therecirculating pet fountain of claim 1 further comprising an overflowtube having a mouth receiving water from the upper drinking bowl thatoverflows from the overflow tube into the lower drinking bowl.
 15. Therecirculating pet fountain of claim 14 wherein the mouth of the overflowtube is disposed above a water line of water in the lower drinking bowl.16. The recirculating pet fountain of claim 1 further comprising awater-conveying bridge that receives water that flows out of the upperdrinking bowl and an overflow tube having a mouth receiving water fromthe water-conveying bridge that overflows from the overflow tube intothe lower drinking bowl.
 17. The recirculating pet fountain of claim 16wherein the water-conveying bridge defines a lower end thereof thatextends into the mouth of the overflow tube.
 18. The recirculating petfountain of claim 17 wherein the water-conveying bridge is configured sowater clings or adheres via surface tension to an underside of thewater-conveying bridge facing generally downwardly toward the lowerdrinking bowl.
 19. The recirculating pet fountain of claim 17 whereinthe water-conveying bridge comprises an elongate channel extending fromthe discharge of the upper drinking bowl toward the lower drinking bowl.20. The recirculating pet fountain of claim 17 wherein thewater-conveying bridge comprises a concave surface and an opposingconvex surface.
 21. The recirculating pet fountain of claim 20 whereinat least a portion of the convex surface faces generally toward thelower drinking bowl.
 22. The recirculating pet fountain of claim 21 theconcave surface guides the water toward the overflow tube.
 23. Therecirculating pet fountain of claim 1 further comprising a step engagingthe second basin and that extends generally parallel to a lower wall ofthe first basin.
 24. The recirculating pet fountain of claim 23 whereinthe step is defined at least in part on a shelf having a lower surfacethat faces and extends over water within the first basin.
 25. Arecirculating pet water fountain comprising: a first water-holding basindefining a lower drinking bowl; a discharge located above the lowerdrinking bowl; a pump in fluid flow communication with water in thebasin that delivers water from the basin to the discharge; and a secondwater-holding basin defining an upper drinking bowl arranged at leastpartially above the lower drinking bowl and receiving water from thedischarge, the upper drinking bowl configured so that water flows out ofthe upper drinking bowl and into the lower drinking bowl, the upperdrinking bowl supported from opposing sides by an arm and a bridge thatengage the opposing sides of the upper drinking bowl and extend from theupper drinking bowl toward the lower drinking bowl so as to define aspace between the upper and lower drinking bowls.